Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B-

Following their branding and custom, California’s Redwood Empire named their blend of whiskeys after a very old, very tall redwood tree. The tallest coastal redwood, Lost Monarch the tree is 157 feet high and found in Jedediah Smith State Park.

Lost Monarch the whiskey is a blend of (presumably MGP-sourced) bourbon and rye. I think it is folly to automatically assume every 95% rye, 5% malted barley whiskey comes from MGP these days, because there are several distillers using that mash bill, and Redwood Empire is drawing on it here for 40% of the formulation. What makes me suspect it is MGP is the 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley bourbon in the blend, which comprises 60%. The former is said to draw on 3 to 5 year old stock, and the later 4 to 12 years old. Crossing the two major types of whiskey makes it a Hybrid, but technically it’s an American Blend. Lost Monarch is bottled at 90 proof.

The Whiskey
The pour had a dull copper look in the glass. The nose was herbal, a current of Bigelow Constant Comment tea with the orange zest, clove and cinnamon, plus a strong note of dill and a teaspoon of vanilla stirred in. This sweet, herbal character develops on the palate, with the citrus holding firm and joined by caramel on the sweet side. The herbal side goes to pepper and juniper, taking a decidedly gin-like turn. From there, the whiskey finishes as a sliver of mildly spicy wood.

The Price
Lost Monarch fetches between $30 and $35 with a sampling of online retailers, making it quite reasonably priced.